After a False Start, Rozet Is Finally Able to Bare Their Soul

In a city like Miami, where the glitz and glamour of South Beach often guild the gritty realities of everyday life, it's rare to find an artist willing to peel back the layers and expose their raw, unfiltered truth. But Rozet (who uses they/them pronouns), a captivating new talent emerging from Hialeah, is doing just that with their debut EP, Head, a cathartic journey through trauma, resilience, and self-discovery. The EP was released today, February 14, via Tokimonsta's Young Art Records.

Rozet has already weathered more storms than most artists twice their age. At 16, they were signed to a prominent independent record label, only to find themselves trapped in a nightmarish situation that would last for the better part of a decade.

"I was targeted by an older executive. This isn't necessarily a unique story, but I just so happen to be a part of that wave of trauma and abuse in that way, especially when I was at a young age," Rozet tells New Times. "I was just really manipulated and taken advantage of, and so was my family, and that led to a lot of U-turns and detours in my life and in my career, as you can imagine."

Having gone through this experience in their hometown, it took some time for Rozet to regain trust in the community, especially as a budding artist. Then, in 2020, just as they were beginning to chart a new path forward free from the label, Rozet suffered a devastating brain injury that left them grappling with seizures and a newfound set of challenges. But rather than allowing this setback to derail them, they channeled these experiences into their studies at Florida Atlantic University, diving deeper into psychology and Buddhism to better understand the workings of the mind.

As Rozet puts it, this work allowed them to make a conscious decision to no longer be defined by victimhood but to focus on life's "victories," leading them on a seven-year journey of intensive therapy and self-discovery.
"Psychology, Buddhism and mental health have been my main focuses of study. When it comes to Buddhism, I was born into the practice, so I am technically a third-generation Buddhist. And the practice itself involves a lot of self-exploration and self-reflective moments where you're observing your own mind," they explain. "Sonically and lyrically, the EP goes from starting out very egocentric to more group-centric and finally world-centric. There's a lot of rumination and rap in the first few tracks because I'm really trying to convey my raw emotions there. I don't want people to just get to know Rozet — I want them to get to know my mind and how it works through different states."

Rozet is also keen on showing their commitment to sounds that have long defined the underground queer culture in Miami, a community that they have turned to for years to find safe spaces for expression and experimentation. Perhaps the song that personifies this most is "Eat," which uses punchy lyrics and beats perfect for a quintessential voguing track. Other songs like "Feelings Aren't Facts" are more of a slow burn into a powerful sonic experience that even shouts out Rozet's South Florida roots. ("Growing up in M-I-A/Parents working three jobs a day.") But overall, each of these previously released singles — set to be re-released on Head — carry a newfound sense of confidence that is a part of Rozet's own mental journey over the years.

Rozet's holistic approach to their craft sets them apart, blending diverse influences, from their Afro-Latin jazz musician father to the 305's vibrant drag and ballroom scene, into a sound that is as unique as it is captivating. Rozet also credits their long history of participating in highly physical passions, like martial arts and contemporary dance, that have helped to inform the movement of their songs.

"I feel like the fast-paced percussion on this project, rhythmically, the power of the sub-bass and the kick drum on each dance is really like a surge of energy," Rozet says. "And I think it reminds me of martial arts because there's like, this explosive aspect to it, like I mentioned, like that misplaced rage and emotion."
With this EP, Rozet shows that instead of crafting a polished persona, they invite listeners into the depths of their psyche, exposing the dichotomy between calm, meditative moments and the "raging, impulsive" outbursts that come with the ups and downs of mentally processing life.

"I'm the most excited about the new singles that are about to come out. They're more narrative, and they help me regulate my emotions when I listen to them," Rozet adds. "So I'm hoping that that's something that is an option for others; they can select that calmer option, or they can go to the songs that make them feel like they've overcome their worst doubts."

Simply talking to Rozet for 15 minutes, it's clear the artist has a level of emotional vulnerability that is both refreshing and daring in an industry that often rewards the commercially palatable. But for Rozet, this raw honesty is not just a creative choice — it's a necessary act of self-preservation and a means of connecting with their audience on a deeper level, something they were not afforded at the beginning of their career. Rozet's journey shows that it's never been just about the music for them. Instead, it's about reclaiming their narrative and using her platform to inspire others who have faced similar challenges.

"I want my audience to fully submit to these songs and allow them to take them on a journey. And please forget about brand palatability, forget about consistency. It's just really about what the head goes through in a day. And everyone engages with different aspects of life, from the waking hour to the resting hour. And in these 40 to 45 minutes, it should get you through a nice, important chunk of the day," Rozet says.

"I just really ask that people that are listening and experiencing this album to really believe in me. It's been three decades or so that I've dedicated to this career, and I've worked so hard because I really care about the education behind this career and this passion of mine."